Find Your Study/Life Balance
It’s natural to feel the pressure when assessments are around the corner – but with the right balance, you can prevent burnout, improve your productivity and support your health.
This page is your space to pause, reflect and explore ways to create balance in every area of your life. Below, we’ll guide you through practical steps to find your ideal study/life balance.
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Social life
Don't go it alone - keeping in touch with friends, course mates or family will help you manage your studies.
Academic life
Find ways to work smarter, not harder, so you've got more time for other areas of your life. Working smarter is about finding what works best for you, which can mean trying a few ways of studying before finding the right fit.
Personal life
When you keep on top of your health, wealth and wellbeing, you can perform at your best and fully enjoy your personal life.
Professional life
Find ways to balance today's studies with your future goals - it's a great way to keep motivated.
Stay Connected
Your relationships are an important support system that will help carry you through uni. Take breaks from study and spend time socialising. You can connect with other students by:
- Joining societies or sports clubs
- Attending Student's Union events
- Finding upcoming virtual and in person uni events via What's On
- Downloading the Umii app to chat to students with similar interests
Improve your study skills
Developing your academic skills and finding a study approach that suits you will help you achieve better balance in all areas of your life. This doesn’t mean working the same way as others - it's about finding what works best for you, which may involve trying out a few different study methods. You can find your best study techniques by:
- Exploring Library support via workshops, one to one sessions and guides
- Reviewing our assessment guides to approaching presentations, essays and dissertations
- Finding good quality, relevant and useful materials on your reading lists
- Browsing hundreds of books online, reserve the books you need and collect from the Library once they’re ready
- Listening to the Thrive podcast where students and experts chat about their top tips, strategies and real-life experiences
- Developing additional skills with our Microsoft Office Specialist micro credential
- Learning how to manage your time - complete our quick time management course
Extra study support
- If you feel like you need some extra help, approach your module leader, tutor or programme leader. You can also reach out to your Student Progression Advisors (SPAs), who can help you keep on track
- If you have a disability, contact our Disability Inclusion Service for exam support
- Contact the Students’ Union’s Advice Centre for help with non-judgmental, independent, impartial, confidential academic advice
Your professional development
Study/life balance isn't just about managing your studies and free time - it's about managing all the areas that contribute to your personal growth. Consider your professional development by:
- Utilising our Careers service. They can help you plan for the future, find part-time work, internships and placements, and develop professional skills
- Downloading Handshake to find your dream job and win £3,000
- Exploring Skills4Living to get essential life skills employers are asking for, from empathy to leadership
- Using LinkedInLearning - you can find free courses to develop more professional and transferable skills
Your wellbeing
We don't just help with your studies - we're here to help you take care of your wellbeing. When you're physically and mentally well, you can study more effectively and fully enjoy your personal life.
- Attend our money drop-ins to get some quick finance tips, and budgeting advice. They run every Tuesday 12:00-13:00 in the askUS Lounge, University House
- Find tips on how to save money on food, at home and on the go on our budgeting and managing your money page
- Take care of your physical wellbeing at our Sports Centre. Membership starts at £15 a month, or you can pay as you go
- Keep an eye on any health issues that come up - sickness can be sign of a body out of balance. For this, we have our on-campus GP
- The Faith Centre has areas for group worship, private prayer, personal reflection, social activities, pastoral support and relaxation. These are spaces for you regardless of your beliefs
- Busy Bees Nursery is on campus to help you find a better balance with childcare
